EFL Clubs Agree Early Transfer Window Closure

Within the last hour the EFL have confirmed that member clubs have agreed to changes to the summer transfer window deadline and from next season, it will close at an earlier time in August.

All 72 member clubs had representatives at Villa Park for the meeting and the vote that would decide the changes to the summer window following talks back in September, and the vote was in favour of shutting the permanent transfer window early so clubs suffered fewer distractions once the campaign had kicked off.

The specifics of the changes agreed are as follows:

Permanent transfers will cease on Thursday August 9 (2018) at 5pm which brings the EFL into line with the change made at Premier League level last September.

Further, EFL clubs can:

Sign players on Standard Loan up to the 31st August 2018

Sign players on Standard Loan up to 31st August 2018 with an option to agree a permanent transfer when the next window opens

Register players who ceased to be registered with a club during the period up until 31st August 2018

Transfer players OUT to a club in any League whose window is still open

A statement confirming the agreed upon changes following the vote was released by the EFL.com.

'The EFL was under no obligation to make any changes and the Board adopted a neutral position on the matter ensuring that clubs were provided with the appropriate information in order to fully consider the implications and come to a decision that benefited their own individual transfer policies.'

EFL Chief Executive Shaun Harvey explained.

'After discussing the options throughout the course of the last few months, I`m pleased that the matter has been determined by clubs ahead of the start of next season. This new approach will give clubs and managers the stability they crave earlier in the season whilst also providing the flexibility to add to their squads after the traditional deadline until the end of the month if required.'

Transfer window breakdown from last summer:

There were 950 number of players registered by EFL clubs (permanent and temporary).The majority 488 (68%) of players signed were either out of contract or Free Transfers.There were 30 transfers from PL Clubs and 104 from other EFL Clubs (for a fee).There were 85 transfers from overseas (includes loans).There were 27 transfers from Non-League Clubs.

Standard Loans - from last summer:

Of the registrations INTO the EFL, 216 were Standard Loans (23%). The 216 registrations were split as follows:

104 from the Premier League.111 were between EFL Clubs.1 came from Non-League.Of the 216 registrations, 102 (47%) were completed after the start of the season of which 52 were on the last day